Otter Crest Loop Scenic Drive and Viewpoint Oregon Coast
Between Lincoln City and Newport, just south of Depoe Bay, you’ll find a hidden scenic drive just off of Highway 101. Otter Crest Loop is one of the most scenic roads on the central Oregon coast. This is a 4 mile stretch of the original Oregon Coast Highway that curves along the mountainside offering breathtaking views of the coast around every turn.
Otter Crest Loop is not exactly a secret, but every day, hundreds of travelers zoom by this picturesque detour without even knowing it’s there.
Otter Crest Loop is not actually a loop, but an alternative route to Hwy 101. If you’re in a hurry, taking this dramatic scenic drive will really only add a few minutes to your trip (if you can resist stopping).
This one-way drive goes north to south, starting around mile marker 129, just south of Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint.
If you’re coming from the south, and you miss the turn (it’s easy to do!), just turn into the Rocky Creek Viewpoint and turn around. (You may as well linger at Rocky Creek Wayside while you’re there. There are splendid ocean views, restrooms, and picnic tables).
Otter Crest Loop begins at Rodea Point, the first scenic overlook where you can pull over to enjoy views of the ocean. We have often seen whales from here. I had my first whale sighting here and I will never forget seeing it splashing and spouting.
Ben Jones Bridge
You’ll soon cross the high Rocky Creek Bridge, also known as the Ben Jones Bridge. Just after the bridge, there’s a rock pull-out on the right. From here you can look back at the bridge, and watch waves crash off the rocky cliffs. Keep an eye out for gray whales.
Shortly after the bridge and a cluster of homes, the road turns to one-way. It’s a narrow one-lane road with a bike lane. It wasn’t always this narrow. In the 90s, large portions of this road were destroyed by landslides. What you are driving on now is what’s left after the road was repaired and improved.
Continuing along on Otter Crest Loop, the road curves through the forest past giant trees and ferns. There are frequent gaps in the trees where you can see miles out on the Pacific Ocean.
This road was originally the route of Highway 101, built in the 1920s. The newer part of 101 runs above Otter Crest Loop.
Take your time and pull over at the various small overlooks for stunning ocean views.
Cape Foulweather
Otter Crest Loop soon comes to Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint at the top of Cape Foulweather. You’ll turn right off Otter Crest Loop and park here to check out the viewpoint. From here, you’ll have a panoramic view of the coast and the Pacific Ocean.
From this 500 foot tall basalt promontory, you can see for miles on a clear day. You may see nearby fishing boats or ships on the far horizon.
To the south lies Otter Rock and the Devil’s Punchbowl. The big complex of buildings you see is the Inn at Otter Crest.
You can see the long stretch of sandy beach of Beverly Beach State Park and in the distance, Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
Watch for the lighthouse’s sequence of two seconds on, two seconds off, two seconds on, then fourteen seconds off. Each lighthouse has its own pattern so when you’re in a ship at sea, not only do you know there’s a lighthouse on land, you can know which lighthouse you’re near.
If your timing is right, you could spot a gray whale spouting or splashing nearby. We have seen the shapes of the whales in the water right below the viewpoint.
Seals or sea lions can also be spotted in the ocean below, but they’re sometimes hard to distinguish from the bobbing sea kelp.
Cape Foulweather was the first land spotted by Captain James Cook while he was exploring the northwest coast of what is now America. It seems he was unimpressed with the Oregon Coast weather.
On March 7, 1778 Captain Cook wrote in his journal: “The land appeared to be of moderate height, diversified with hill and valley and almost everywhere covered with wood. There was nothing remarkable about it except one hill … at the northern extreme the land formed a point which I called Cape Foulweather from the very bad weather we soon after met with.” (“The Voyages of Captain Cook, Volume II,” William Smith, publisher, 1842).
It’s often quite windy atop Cape Foulweather, and sometimes fog obstructs the views. But even on a foul weather day, it’s worth a look.
The Lookout
The Lookout was built in the 1930s as a coffee shop. The owners realized people were more interested in purchasing souvenirs than coffee, so they changed their focus to being a souvenir shop.
During WW2, the Lookout was used by the military as an observatory to watch for Japanese invasion following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The gift shop is now run by Oregon State Parks and isn’t open every day. They have a small selection of books and souvenirs. (Cape Foulweather is certainly worth the stop without The Lookout Giftshop). Check the gift shop hours at the Oregon State Parks website.
If The Lookout Gift Shop is open, you can view the area through windows from the shelter of the back room. The employees are always helpful in educating visitors about the area.
When you leave Cape Foulweather, you can return to Highway 101, but you may as well continue on down to Otter Rock and the Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area.
Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
Otter Crest Loop brings you to the small residential community of Otter Rock.
Turn right on 1st Street and drive to the end of the street to get to the Devil’s Punchbowl. There are about 20 parking spots right in front of the Punchbowl. If it’s busy and there are no open spots, go back a few blocks to the additional public parking area north of 1st Street. There’s also a restroom by this parking area.
The Devil’s Punchbowl is an interesting rock formation that was formed when the roof of a sea cave collapsed. From the viewpoint, you’ll look straight down into the Punchbowl. It’s most interesting at high tide or during storms, when the waves swirl and crash inside the “punchbowl.”
When there is a very low negative tide, you can hike down to inside the punchbowl cave. It’s easiest to access from the beach access on Avenue C, although the steps at the bottom of the access sometimes wash out. The walk to the bottom of the Punchbowl cave is rocky and slippery. While not forbidden, it’s not really recommended by the park service.
Check the tide tables for negative or “minus” tides to time your visit for when the punchbowl is empty. And keep one eye on the ocean. You don’t want to be trapped in the rocks when the tide comes in!
The rocks around the Devils Punchbowl have some interesting tide pools full of marine life to explore at low tide. Agates can be found in the area too.
Near the Devil’s Punchbowl, there is a variety of snacking options. Pick up a bowl of Mo’s famous clam chowder. Do some wine tasting at the Flying Dutchman Winery (with an ocean view out back). Pick up a coffee or ice cream from Cliffside Coffee and Sweets.
Head back to Otter Crest Loop and it will soon rejoin Highway 101.
On your way to Newport? Check out this article about 25 of the Best Things to Do in Newport, Oregon.
